Three More Fall Sick to the West Nile Virus in Idaho

The Idaho Department of Health and Welfare confirmed Friday that three more people have been infected with the West Nile virus. That brings the state total to five cases.

These new reports are prompting health officials to warn the public to continue to take precautions to protect themselves.

A Washington County man in his 40s, an Owyhee County man over the age of 60 and a woman from Payette County in her 30s were all recently infected. The two previous cases are also from Payette County.

Elmore County is also reporting mosquitoes have been detected with West Nile virus. That brings the number of Idaho counties confirmed to have mosquitoes carrying West Nile virus to 11.

"The increase in West Nile virus activity is a reminder that people are at risk for the mosquito-borne disease until a killing frost, and is a good warning for people to continue to take precautions," says Dr. Leslie Tengelsen, deputy state epidemiologist. "It is very important that we all prevent mosquito bites and take protective measures; this includes wearing repellent and reducing mosquito breeding habitat around our homes."